Coming to an art house near you: Patti Smith was in Dubway Studios (NYC) recording narrative for a Steven Sebring documentary about her life. Emery Dobyns engineered with Dubway assistant engineer Eric Spring. Also in: '80s pop star Lisa Lisa, recording vocals for a new album project with Spring.

SOUTHEAST

For those who haven't heard, Cypress Moon Studios (Muscle Shoals, AL) is the new name of the facility formerly known as Muscle Shoals Sound. Early sessions in the newly christened studio included members of the Amazing Rhythm Aces and many others working with co-producers Tonya S. Holly and husband Kelvin Holly on the soundtrack for a feature film titled When I Find the Ocean…At Catalyst Recording (Charlotte, NC), the New Blacks recorded a new nine-song CD with producer Rob Tavaglione and assistant engineer Ben Millwood. The Dead Kings were also in working on their latest Scatboy Records release with producer Stabb Frehley and Tavaglione engineering.

NORTHEAST

Wilco's latest release was produced by Jim O'Rourke, who also co-engineered with T.J. Doherty at Sear Sound (NYC). Also at Sear, Lee Ranaldo of Sonic Youth produced mixes for Bob Dylan documentary I'm Not There in Studio A; Doherty engineered…Spyro Gyra were in HarariVille Recording Studios (Weehawken, NJ) to complete recording of their latest album with engineer Eric Carlinski and assistant Frank Lakatos. Also in HarariVille, Matt Witte and his band, Chainsaw Trio, recorded demos for EMI with producer/engineer Rob Harari…CSP Mobile (Saco, ME) recorded Barenaked Ladies with the Boston Pops at Boston Symphony Hall in December. The performances, part of a private fundraiser for the orchestra, will be broadcast on CBS-4 TV Boston during the 2007 holiday season. Steve Colby of Evening Audio Consultants handled the audio…Avatar Studios (NYC) hosted Andre Previn playing solo piano in Studio A. Bob Sadin produced, Dave Darlington engineered and Anthony Ruotolo assisted. Also recently recorded in Studio A was the cast recording for the off-Broadway show How to Save the World and Find True Love in 90 Minutes. Producer Lawrence Anderson worked with engineer Peter Hylenski and assistant Ruotolo. In Studio B, Russ Elevado mixed tracks for Angelique Kidjo, assisted by Justin Gerrish. Also, Rob Thomas and producer Matt Serletic recorded vocals for a Disney film project; David Thoener engineered and Brian Montgomery assisted…At Power Station, New England (Waterford, CT), Jewel recorded vocals for the Arthur and the Invisibles soundtrack with engineers Brian Sargent and Dave Wilkerson.

MIDWEST

Mastering engineer Bob Boyd has installed a new SPL PQ mastering equalizer in his Ambient Digital Studios (Houston). One of the first projects on which Boyd used the new EQ is a live release from Shawn McDonald, to be released on EMI's Sparrow Records. Ambient also hosted sessions for a 10-year retrospective album by Our Lady Peace titled A Decade…The Taker Thunderbolt worked on their first full-length album with engineers Brad McGrath and Andrew Ragin at Brick City Sound (Highland Park, IL)…Nigerian recording artist Benjamin Odunsi completed a full-length album, Oba Alagbara, at Tierra Studios (Houston). The album was engineered by Aaron Morris, who also assisted Femi Ojetunde with the final mix.

NORTHWEST

San Francisco Bay Area band Neveragain tracked their The Great Betrayal release at Hyde Street Studios (San Francisco). Bandmember Paul MacLachlan produced with Bill Cutler, and Justin Phelps engineered. Brian Krawcykowski will be doing overdubs in the band's Oakland, CA, studio.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Tracks for Ry Cooder's new album, My Name Is Buddy, were recorded at Sound City Studios (Van Nuys, CA). Cooder self-produced the tracks, which were recorded by engineers Martin Pradler and Don Smith…At indie mastering studio Sound Bites Dog (L.A.), engineer Hans DeKline mastered releases by Rosanna Fiorazo (mixed by Jim Watts) and Dopesnake (recorded and mixed by Bradley Cook).